Watch Elton John kick off his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour with set full of hits - video

9 September 2018, 13:40

By Tom Eames

The most epic farewell tour of all time is under way!

On Saturday night (September 8), Sir Elton John kicked off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. It was the first show of over 300 performances across five continents.

Elton featured some of his most beloved hits, including 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer', and 'Candle in the Wind'.

The audience also got to experience the personal meanings behind some of his greatest hits, along with never-before-seen photos and videos from his 50-year career.

Picture:
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Rocket Entertainment

Elton said: “I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to have had the opportunity to perform around the world for the last 50 years.

"During that time, I have been able to witness a huge amount of social, political and cultural change. I want the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour to celebrate that.”

Picture:
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Rocket Entertainment

During 'Border Song', he paid tribute to various people who made an impact on society and his life, with a moving montage of images playing above him.

They included Aretha Franklin, Ryan White, Nelson Mandela and Stephen Hawking, before the song ended with an emotional film of Elton and his grandmother, Ivy Sewell.

Picture:
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Rocket Entertainment

While playing 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight', a never-before-seen animation by graphic artist Alan Aldridge was shown. The characters that danced above Elton were originally created in 1975 for a Captain Fantastic film that was never produced.

For 'Candle in the Wind', a short film by photographer David LaChapelle was played, recreating Marilyn Monroe’s last photo session with photographer Bert Stern.

Intro: Ghetto GospelBennie and the JetsAll the Girls Love AliceI Guess That's Why They Call It the BluesBorder SongTiny DancerPhiladelphia FreedomIndian SunsetRocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)Take Me to the PilotSomeone Saved My Life TonightCandle in the WindFuneral for a Friend/Love Lies BleedingBurn Down the MissionLevonBelieveDanielSad Songs (Say So Much)Don't Let the Sun Go Down on MeThe Bitch Is BackI'm Still StandingCrocodile RockSaturday Night's Alright for FightingYour SongGoodbye Yellow Brick Road

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